AB-85 • 2026

Law enforcement: cooperation with immigration authorities.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Essayli
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details about how much money is needed or how many more people may be detained or deported as a result of this law.

Law Enforcement and Immigration Cooperation

This law changes how local police in California must work with federal immigration officers when dealing with people who have been convicted of any felony.

What This Bill Does

Changes the rules for when local police can share information about someone's release date or transfer them to immigration officials if they have been found guilty of a felony.
Requires local police to follow requests from immigration authorities and detain individuals longer than usual if necessary.

Who It Names or Affects

Local law enforcement officers in California
People who are convicted of felonies

Terms To Know

Felony: A serious crime that can lead to a prison sentence.
Immigration authorities: Government officials who handle rules about people coming into and leaving the country.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much extra money local agencies will need because of these new rules.
It is unclear if this law will change how many people are detained or deported by immigration authorities.
This bill has passed both chambers of the California Legislature but it hasn't been signed into law yet.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-02-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-01-06 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2024-12-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee January 20.
2024-12-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 85, as introduced, Essayli.
Law enforcement: cooperation with immigration authorities.
Under existing law, a law enforcement official has limited discretion to cooperate with immigration authorities, and may only provide information regarding a person’s release date or transfer an individual to immigration authorities without a judicial warrant or probable cause determination if the individual has been convicted of specified crimes, including, but not limited to, serious and violent felonies, as specified, and only if doing so would not violate any federal, state, or local law, or local policy.
Notwithstanding those provisions, this bill would instead require law enforcement officials to cooperate with immigration authorities by detaining and transferring an individual and providing release information if a person has been convicted of a felony. By requiring local law enforcement to comply with requests from immigration
authorities, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF